Dhanteras: Significance of worshipping Goddess Laxmi

New Delhi: Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi is an important occasion celebrated just before Diwali. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi came out of the ocean during the churning of the sea. Falling on the 13th lunar day of the Karthik Krishna Paksha in the Karthik month, the present year, Dhanteras will be celebrated on 22 October. On the day, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Kubera (God of Wealth) is worshipped.

People visit the market to buy gold, silver, and utensils and offer prayers to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi. It is considered an opportune time to invest in these metals as it is believed to bring prosperity, good luck, and happiness to families and business ventures.

According to mythology, to solve the woes of a poor Brahmin, a priest once advised him to offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings. In doing so, the Brahmin was blessed with wealth and prosperity. So, people pray to Goddess Lakshmi and wish for wealth, prosperity, and happiness for their families and loved ones, on Dhanteras.